Beijing education concert to feature Will.i.am, John Legend

December 17th event is designed to encourage more American students to study abroad in China.

Black Eyed Peas' singer will.i.am is no stranger to helping empower the next generation of children with access to quality education. The 36-year-old rapper has made it a focus of his fame to give back - most recently funding a television special highlighting kids involved in inventor Dean Kamen's robotics competition.

"These kids are our Michael Jordans and Kobe Bryants and our team is losing right now," he wrote on The Huffington Post. "If we don't acknowledge them and support them, they might not want to play for our American team when they graduate from college. They probably won't create jobs in America with the technology they invent."

While will.i.am is serious about retaining young talent in the States, his latest charity effort also shows his understanding of the importance of cooperation between nations; in particular America's relationship with China.

Along with John Legend and some other undisclosed artists, the Peas' frontman will be headlining a Beijing education concert on December 17th to promote study abroad. The event will help support the U.S. State Department's 100,000 Strong Initiative, which seeks to "foster the U.S.-China relationship and better equip Americans who may work closely with Chinese men and women in the future."

“Having come from the Los Angeles area, I know first-hand how important programs like 100,000 Strong can be," he said at a press conference yesterday announcing the benefit. "The opportunity to study abroad in China would be a dream realized for so many young people who may not otherwise have had the chance to see what else the world has to offer.”

Helping to co-organize the event will be the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation; which may also include a guest appearance by the martial-arts star himself. According to The Hollywood Reporter, tickets have yet to go on sale and no venue has been announced.